Hip Hip Hooray!

By now many of you might have heard that I am one of the eleven fellows for Substack’s Food Writing Intensive. I am still in shock that I was selected out of hundreds of wonderfully talented writers. I’m so excited to take Food For Thought. to the next level and to foster community with the other writing fellows. If you’d like to read up on the fellowship and what it entails you can do so here.

This cohort of fellows are incredibly gifted and I suggest folks subscribe to their newsletters if you haven’t yet. I’d also like to acknowledge all of the other fierce writers who applied for the Intensive. Substack had many honorable mentions and I’d like to highlight those writers as well (maybe you’ll find another newsletter to fall in love with and subscribe to!).

• Christopher Albrecht writes OttOmate, a guide to the future of food robotics and automation.   

• Dennis Lee is the Chicago-based writer of Food is Stupid, whose main goal is to ruin food for everyone. Especially you. 

• Emmy Award winner Kae Lani Palmisano writes Amuse-Bouche, a food newsletter with big ideas in small bites.

• Kate Ray is a plant-based chef who writes soft leaves, a newsletter about food and health, where health encompasses nutrition, mental balance, and the resilience of our communities. 

• Larissa Zimberoff writes Technically Food, a weekly newsletter about the intersection of food and technology and what that means for people who love food, make food, and want to know what they’re eating.

• Leah Mennies writes Above the Fold, stories about dumplings and the people who make them.

• Maurice Cheeks writes Bread & Justice, a community for those who believe that good bread and real justice are both worth fighting for.

• Megan Seling is the author of Snack and Destroy, a weekly newsletter dedicated to snacks, candy, and rock and roll.

• Nicholas Gill writes New Worlder, stories about food in the Americas and beyond.

• Nico Vera is the author of La Yapa, a newsletter about Peru’s food and drink culture, through a vegan lens.

• Paula Forbes provides in-depth coverage of cookbooks in her newsletter, Stained Page News.

• Richard Godwin writes The Spirits, a book club for cocktails.

New Around Here?

I have quite a few new subscribers because of the fellowship’s announcement so I’d like to formally say Hello! + welcome you to the club. I truly love connecting with my subscribers by chatting with folks in the comments section, responding to emails, or meeting with local subscribers in real life (I’m always up for coffee meet-ups!). I take being in community seriously and appreciate you all for allowing me into your inbox. Here’s where you can learn a bit more about me.

I really suggest hitting the archives of this newsletter. There are some great gems in there (you’ll feel like you’re a regular in no time…this place is like Cheers where everybody knows your name. Okay, maybe I’m just the only one who knows your name).

What’s Next?

The fellowship came with a sizeable grant that will allow Food For Thought. to grow bigger and bolder over the coming months. Here’s what I have planned: 

• More Eating A-Z in NYC! - I’m honestly hoping to get to the letter F by Fall. Let’s all hold hands and pray for my appetite + tummy in the next coming months. Amen.

• Food For Thought. TV! - Substack’s video feature is one that I would like to explore more, but not in the regular sense of cooking shows or showing you how to complete a recipe. I want to delve into how things are made, deepen my connection to immigrant communities, and spotlight amazing local mom + pop shops that may not really fit into the Eating A-Z series. I will be using some of the grant to film professionally because who needs me recording while holding a shaky phone? No one.

• More BURNT podcast episodes - I love these bite-sized podcasts where I interview folks about their epic kitchen failures and how they learn from their mistakes.

• My Cookbook Research - Guys, the research + writing is coming along! I’m about to deep dive into recipe testing for the full month of July. I’d love to have you join in on what it takes to write a cookbook (the success + the pitfalls).

• Meet + Eat meet-ups - I want to Meet + Eat with as many of you as possible this year. Let’s make it happen y’all!

Speaking of Meet + Eat our 1st one will be May 7th - 5pm at the Queens Night Market! If you’ve never been you will be in for a treat. It happens at Flushing Meadows near the NY Hall of Science (super accessible off the 7 train line). Dozens upon dozens of stalls with food from all over the world are at the market. Entrance to the market is FREE, but I do suggest bringing cash for food although many vendors nowadays have credit card readers. To RSVP + receive more info closer to the event just sign up here!

I’m ecstatic to have you all come along this humble journey with me. If I haven’t said this enough I just want to say thank you for being a subscriber and for giving me a couple of minutes of your day. 

Let’s end this newsletter on a high note! If you’re new around here drop a note in the comments. I’d also love for people who are fellow Substack writers to drop their newsletters in the comments section. Let’s spread the love + subscribe!

Cook. Eat. Repeat.

Natalie 💗✨